Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-04-29
A NIGHT WITH STANTON.
Judge Poland Tells the story of Night
with the war Secretary.
Letter to the Omaha Republican,

from Washington contained In III, feau
the following:
The last number of the Washington
Gazette contains well engraved likeness
of Gov John NJ. Thryer, who was very
popular here during his Senatorial career.
He was an intimate friend of Secretary |
Stanton, and on the night when President |
johnson contemplated having Stanton
elected from the war department by the
marines, Senator Thayer remained with
the secretary, and would doubtless have
given some hard knocks had the marines
made their appearance.
The above is all true enough, but it
gives but little of the events of that some
what memorable night. and as was one
of those "who were there" it occurred to
me that some of the details might interest
your readers.
In the afternoon of that day President
Johnson sent to the senate the name of
General Lorenzo Thomas as secretary of
war, ad interim, to supersede Secretary
Stanton. This caused great excitement
and the senate Immediately went into
executive session and remained in session
sill near midnight. 1t was during this
session that Mr.. Sumner sent his famous
message to Stanton ito stick" The late
General James Morehead was then the
representative from the Pittsburg dis
trict, and both he and myself lived at Mrs
Carriers famous old boarding house on
Capitol Hill.
That night Speaker Colfax held the last
Of his public receptions for that session.
and as neither General Morehead or my
self had attended any of his previous re
ceptions, we decided to go to this, but 20
quite early and to come away before the
crowd became great. ColtaX then lived
on the north side of Lafayette Square,
and quite near the war department. Gen.
eral Morehead and myself were the first
arrivals at the speakers reception, and we
were then informed by CofaX that Stan
ton was apprehensive of an attempt to
take forcible possession of the office, and
that Stanton was at the war department
and intended to remain during the night
Mr. Stanton had resided at Pittsburgh
for some period, and he and Gen. More
head We're very warm personal friends,
and the relations between the secretary
and myself were quite intimate and cor
dial. We at once took leave of Speaker
ColfaX and went directly to the war de-
partment where we found Mr.. Stanton
alone, except few clerks scattered about
in the rooms near. | have met many peo-
pie who seemed pleased to meet me, but |
10 not recollect any occasion when the
pleasure seemed greater or the greeting
werner when we announced that we had
come ito stay" 1t was not long before
others (mainly members of congress) be-
Jan to gather, and on the adjournment of
The senate there came quite reinforce
ment of senators. OF course the "situa
on'' was the theme of discussion, and
what could be done, or what should be
,lone was presented with all the varying
views, such as a body of men would en-
certain when in high state of excite
ment. Dakota had for delegate at this
time, Dr. Burleigh, who was fuller of
fun and mischief than any other man it
has been my fortune to know. This DR..
Burleigh had, in some way, got hold of
General Thomas at one of the Washing
ton hotels, and strengthened his courage
with a few glasses so that Thomas was
declaring stoutly that he would go with
armed force and GUST Stanton from the
war department. DR.. Burleigh, of course
was adrotly encouraging Thomas in his
valiant resolutions and declarations.
Constant reports of these threats by
Thomas were sent to us at the war de
partment, and formed another element in
our discussions. 1t was finally proposed
by some one. (but ! do not remember
who that prosecution be started against
Gen. Thomas, under the recently enacted
tenure of office of law" This met with
general favor, and | was selected, as per
haps as handy lawyer as any of the com
pany, to draw the complaint and warrant.
This proceeded to do as well as ! could
lnder the circumstances. MIR. Stanton
signed the complaint as complainant, and
swore it before Chief j Justice Carter of the
district court, who was one of those early
on the ground, and the warrant was sign
ed by Judge Carter.
Before leaving the night at the war de-
partment | must not forget an act of pa
triotism that added much to our comfort
and, perhaps to our courage. though the
latter was not heavily taxed. Among
others present was the late Hon. Samuel
Hooper, of Massachusetts, commonly call
i ,lxS
best dinners in Washington, and was re-
puted to have the best larder and other
supplies. He went home with his car
riage, and returned so laden that no gar
rison was ever better prepared to support
a siege.
A considerable number of us remained
with Mr. Stanton through the night and
N the morning Gen. Thomas was arrested
on the warrant signed by Judge Carter,
and all threatening to take possession of
5he war department by force, ended. On
oeing brought before Judge Carter, the
counsel for General Thomas procured
delay for few days, and bail was given
or his appearance.
Whe democrats were much eXasperated
oy the tenure of Office law, and l think
they very generally believed it to be I'M
constitutional. They concluded this case
lortun!ty for speedy decision of the val
ldity of the law by having Gen. Thomas
decline 70 furnish bail and be committed
and thea brought before the court by writ
of habeas corpus Everything was ar
-anged accordingly, and on the day
Thomas's case came up before Judge Car
GER, Thomas and his counsel appeared be-
fore Judge Carter with considerable
pomp and array, and the counsel an
nOunced that General Thomas would
waive any examination before Judge Car
ter, and would decline to furnish further
bail, and the judge could order him com
mitted for want OF bail. But Judge Car
Ter presume, had knowledge of their
purpose beforehand; at any rate, he was
quite equal to the occasion and ready to
save his friends and party from the diem
ma. On the announcement by Thomas
counsel that he would decline to furnish
bail and he could order him committed,
Judge Carter, with his peculiar twinkle
of the eye and his inimitable stammer,
said "Oh, know General Thomas, he is
my neighbor. There is not the slightest
hanger he will leave the country, and not
o. here when wanted; and 50, no need OF
Sly bail or commitment, and | shaa't
make any order for anVb So far